PLENARY SESSION II: ENHANCING PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTS TO IMPROVE HEALTH EQUITY

This plenary will examine how improvements in physical, social, and economic conditions can prevent risky behavior and positively influence health. Particular attention will be given to how changes at the school, neighborhood, and city level impact substance use and interpersonal violence. Speakers will discuss their research, real-world examples, and policy implications.

Dr. Philip Cook, will discuss the potential for cities to tax alcohol as a means of preventing violence. Dr. Cook has been a trailblazer in showing that alcohol related problems can be prevented through restrictions on alcohol availability. Indeed, he was one of the first researchers to demonstrate persuasively that alcohol taxes have a direct effect on crime, alcohol abuse, and the death rate of heavy drinkers.  His book Paying the Tab (Princeton University Press, 2007) provides a fascinating account of the history and economics of alcohol control measures.   Dr. Cook, an economist, is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.

Dr. Furr-Holden, will discuss environmental approaches to preventing violence and increasing behavioral health services. Dr. Furr-Holden has worked with local and national policy makers to improve data driven decision-making and include ‘health in all policies’. She currently maintains a portfolio of research focused on ameliorating health inequalities in substance abuse and treatment and environmental strategies to prevent and reduce community violence.

Dr. Robert Horner, who will discuss his work on school reform and positive behavior support to help schools and school administrators develop systems for embedding school-wide systems of positive behavior support. Dr. Horner currently co-directs the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with George Sugai and Tim Lewis. Over 21,000 schools in the U.S. currently are implementing PBIS.  The address will focus on the impact of investing in school-wide social culture on the social, academic and health outcomes for students.